Monday, December 03, 2012

Purebred and Hopeless

I was so happy to receive an email from a foster Mom asking me to rescue a specific cat from the "high kill" shelter. Although I don't need an excuse to go, I like knowing that I'm taking somebody that would have no other chance:

I look at her little face and wonder what she's like. Will she be happy to see me? Will she like my little rescue song? Apparently, she's very sweet and everybody really likes her. Poor baby was loaded with fleas when she came in. Of course, she's already sick from the shelter, and Persians don't have it easy when they get an upper respiratory infection. Their stubby noses make it nearly impossible to breathe. Fortunately, she's going to an experienced foster Mom.

At a not-so-high-kill shelter, there's a purebred Bengal that needs help. He's five years old, soooo sweet and handsome:

The shelter contacted me and asked for me to put the word out that this boy needs out of the shelter. Bengals can be a tricky breed and this guy doesn't seem too thrilled with other cats but really seems to like dogs! Go figure! I certainly wouldn't want him to go to somebody who thinks Bengals look "cool". He needs somebody who understands the breed.

I don't know what people are thinking spending copious amounts of money on purebred cats and then dumping them at the shelter. Don't the breeders ask questions of the people who adopt? I suppose reputable breeders do.

People are surprised that purebred cats are at shelters and being killed due to overcrowding. They seem to think that it makes sense that the shelters kill the black ones, or the plain ones. But heaven forbid they kill the purebred cats - the special cats.

I received an email this morning from a woman asking for help with a cat. She's moving TOMORROW into a place that doesn't accept cats. So this guy is going to be homeless tomorrow:

I'm not surprised that this shit happens. People think that pets are disposable. They'll just get another one when they're life "sorts itself out."

In the meantime, that 7 year old tabby guy is killing me. He has no idea that his life is hanging in the balance. He's sitting there all warm and happy in his home and soft carpet. He thinks somebody loves him. Tomorrow he'll be abandoned in a steel cage. I wonder how he'll feel when the door *clangs* shut and he's given food that he's never eaten before.

12 comments:

I feel your frustration and know it all too well. Our dog is pure-bred sheltie and I found him at a shelter at 11 months of age, given up by a family who claimed "he didn't turn out to be what we expected." The bill from when they bought him was in their file. Their loss.Mr. Ed, our pure-bred seal-point siamese came from our local shelter. He was a mess.

ANY good breeder would be MORE than happy to take back a cat that was no longer wanted. In fact, it is one of their nightmares that a cat they lovingly raised might wind up in a shelter!

There is really no excuse for any of these cats to wind up where they do. Including and especially that tabby and white boy - just how long did this human know she was moving? And she emails you the day before she moves? That kitty NEVER deserved to be with such a self-centered, thoughtless creature in the first place.

I've followed your blog religiously for years - soaking up the emotions each posting gave me, either welcomed or dreaded! I've never posted a comment but tonight I'm going to breakdown. As I started to read,I wasn't aware until, as nearing the end of the post I noticed my whole body was tense! I rescue, I foster, I volunteer but sometimes when someone spills it out as you have just done, my body cringes!! When does it all end Beth???!!! It's all so very, very sad!...........Christine

Too many people buy pure bred dogs because of how they look and then they 'feel bad' that it didn't work out so they don't want to go back to the breeder, or they bought on the internet so taking them back isn't an option. too many people I've told about researching a dog before they get a dog dismiss me outright and then have brought their dog to a shelter when it was too much for them. I am not surprised the same thing happens to cats. Backyard breeders don't care what happens to the kittens and certainly don't want the kitties back because they'll have to spend the money they made caring for it... and kitten mills are becoming an issue as well.

Beth, as we all know there are good breeders and then the other one's. Many years ago I adopted from one of "the other one's" . she had all the letters behind her name CCA/CFA. But I got a cat with FIP. It's thanks for the money!!We all should look at rescue's first no matter what kind of cat you are looking for, they have them all!! I have the 2 best rescue cats ever!!!!

1. Renee is right. Nobody can evict you for having a pet. I live in a building that allows pets, but I had a cat in a building that didn't, and nobody found out. I'm far from the only person who has done this. But, short of going broke and having to move back in with your cat-hating/allergic parents, I don't know why anyone with a pet would move in somewhere with a strict no-pets policy.

2. Yes, good breeders ask questions and will take the cat back if you can't keep it for any reason. I have a purebred Birman (birthday present after the cat I rescued as a feral kitten died at 5 years old) and had to fill out a questionnaire that's pretty much like the one rescues and shelters have. Some breeders have these right on their websites. Any breeder who wouldn't take a cat back is not reputable at all.

3. I love that Bengal and wish I could take him!! Some are good with other cats; too bad he isn't. And too bad I can't have more than 2 cats right now.

I have another comment. Going through a sale of a house and an upcoming move into an apartment right now, I know for a fact that there are TONS of places that will accept pets. Cats are very commen and even dogs now too. We have two big dogs and 4 cats and I am not even considering any apartment that won't accept them. The biggest obstacle isn't "no" pets, it's the weight of the dogs. A lot of places will not take dogs over a certain weight. Stupid rule as we know it's not the size of the dog, but the temperament. So my point is this...if you can't take ONE cat where you are moving...you haven't looked hard enough. Period.

I was a full time student and found it really hard to find an apartment that would allow me to bring 3 cats. I got illegally evicted and it forced me to commute 3 hours one way to school because I refused to get rid of them. It took a toll on me mentally and physically and had to drop out of school. I can't find a job to save my life, not a student, living at my parents (who hate cats) and my cats are now in a foster home (one who fosters cats)

I have no source of income so I can't even look for a pet friendly apartment.